The pharmaceutical firm behind a new platinum-based treatment for cancer has applied to the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for clearance.

Access Platinum's AP5346 uses the company's proprietary polymer drug delivery system to target cancerous tumours.

Access is planning to initiate a study of AP5346 in combination with two other cancer drugs, fluorouracil and leucovorin, in patients with progressive solid tumours, once the FDA give the go ahead.

"It is rare that cancer patients are now treated with single agents and we envision that AP5346 will ultimately be used in combination with other drugs," said Access president Kerry Gray. "Our initial combination study will be based on the standard therapy for colorectal cancer patients, a combination of oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin.

"In our study, AP5346 will replace oxaliplatin, which is the only currently approved DACH platinum agent for the treatment of cancer."

Access described the results of preliminary trials of the treatment as "encouraging".

Further clinical trials are planned next year assuming the FDA grants approval.